Tag: Orthodox

Blessings from above fall into this post. May our spirits be lifted in the mundane to the greatness of the elements. We have no control over how the clouds burst open and shine light on us. I am grateful for such surprises. In our most trying moments being outside for the simplest tasks can take the burden of the moment and turn it into a gift of energy. The ancient words “Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be open to you…” Matt. 7:7-8. When we allow ourselves to notice these gifts they offer healing to our very spirit. I love the tradition of the Orthodox Christians who use the words from The Nicene Creed as follows:

“We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.”

Wow! There is so much to this creed. Look for one moment to the “God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made;” speaking of Jesus. “…Light of Light…being of one substance with the Father…who for us men, … came down from heaven…” Now think to the Light as “Very God of Very God…” Think to the energy we are given daily if we only open our spirits to receive it. There is so much in this writing I do not do it justice by picking and choosing what to illuminate, but I sit in awe of our source and our heritage. We are one, we are united. We can accept it. We can know because of where we have originated and who our creator is, we can “…look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen”

Next time you go outside look to see if there is a hint from the cloud burst to the very essence of all life-giving force, spirit, God. Let that picture burn into your essence how we walk as spirit in human form rather than the opposite. May the earth and the sky and the water and fire and ice and all the elements give your spirit the boost it needs to finish strong. Give thanks to the “Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.” Let it be so.